Daisy Janie fabric + Sew Mama Sew Pillow Contest = a great personal challenge

I mentioned that a few new projects had come my way.  Today, I will share one of those projects with you.

Several weeks ago, my good blog friend Jan of Daisy Janie and I were tweeting back and forth about great projects that could be made with her beautiful new shades of grey organic fabric.  She mentioned a pillow making contest by Sew Mama Sew and tossed out the idea that I could make a pillow using shades of grey and my woven seat belt pillow design.

My first response was that I don't consider myself a seamstress.  I don't know how to quilt and I rarely, if ever, follow pattern directions.  I'm a rogue sewer.  I've always admired quilters for their patience, technique, and meticulous eye for detail.  These are qualities I have not nurtured in the sewing arena.  I'm the queen of instant gratification.  Earl of the easy way out.  Countess of cutting corners.  Besides, there was the added pressure of cutting and sewing Jan's beautiful new fabric. 

Excuses!

The seed was planted.  I stopped by Sew Mama Sew and read up on the contest and decided I was up for the challenge.  After all, I've blogged a lot about opening myself up to new opportunities and exploring possibilities.  I've seen wonderful things happen when I step out of my comfort zone and take risks.

So, without further adieu, here is my submission for the Sew Mama Sew pillow contest.  I used two of Jan's fabrics:  zipper tape and dapple dot.  During construction, I decided to use dark grey seat belt webbing for the sides.  The structure and contrast it gives is a nice addition to the pillow.  I cut out 28 strips of fabric, sewed, ironed (ironing is generally never something I do), top sticthed, wove and hand finished the pillow.  This is the end result:

 

Win or lose, I am so happy I took this personal challenge.  I'm grateful Jan shared the idea with me and entrusted me with her wonderful fabric (thank you, Jan).  I enjoyed the process and am completely thrilled with the result.

This is me - Design Refuge October Challenge

I came across this challenge on Design Refuge just as I returned from recent my trip to San Francisco.  The objective is to post pictures (of self, decor, home, favorite magazine spread, etc.) that represent "you" and "your" design style.

While in SF, I had thought a lot about how much of my style has stayed consistent over the years. What I like hasn't changed much since high school when I had posters of city skylines lining my pink bedroom walls.  I still love my big cities:  Chicago, San Francisco, NYC, London.  While shopping, I bought a pair of boots that I've had in numerous iterations over the years.  I even forgot that I currently own a similar pair in a different color.  I have definitely learned to stick with what I like and who I am regarding style.  When I try to branch out, it just doesn't feel like me.

I stopped to take a picture through the window at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.  The yellow wall of the interior staircase along with the various lines (of the railings and windows) caught my eye.  Much to my surprise, this one photo reflects a great deal of information about my design style.  I was wearing a simple standard go-to outfit (boots, long sweater, leggings all in dark gray and black) while visiting modern art museums and gardens (the SFMoMA, the Academy of Art University, and Yerba Buena Gardens and Center for the Arts) taking photos of everyday things in one of my favorite cities. 

These elements are all the things I love in design (in both fashion and decor):  clean lines, repetitive geometric shapes, neutral colors, innovative ideas,  a pinch of bold color, and a dash of humor.

How would you summarize your design style?